It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mary Ellen Morrow, longtime AMWA photographer, devoted member of the AMWA community, and daughter of AMWA Past President Dr. Laura Morrow.
For years, Mary Ellen came to our annual meetings with her camera in hand, wanting not simply to document an event, but to capture its spirit—the energy in the room, the camaraderie among members, the friendships, celebrations, and connections that make AMWA what it is.
She cared deeply about every photograph she took. After each meeting, she would spend countless hours going through the photographs, touching and retouching them, always wanting everyone to look their best. Mary Ellen was always so generous with her time and talents and attentive to the details that would make someone else happy.
Her dedication to AMWA extended far beyond photography. She was full of ideas for AMWA and would forward articles about women physicians, share her passion for connecting with the families of AMWA past presidents, and promote our historical archives. AMWA was never far from her mind.
And neither was her mother.
Mary Ellen always spoke so reverently about her mother, Dr. Laura Morrow, who served as AMWA President from 1968–1969. Dr. Laura Morrow and Dr. Lloyd Morrow were trailblazing psychiatrists who practiced out of their New Jersey home.
Mary Ellen was one of the few family members of an AMWA Past President who remained actively involved with AMWA over the years. She understood that she was part of a remarkable history, and she treasured that connection. We often spoke about finding a way to bring together the community of the families of our many AMWA Past Presidents — the sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and others who carry pieces of AMWA’s history within their own families.
Mary Ellen also cherished AMWA’s traditions. One that was especially meaningful to her was our White Rose Ceremony, when we pause at our Annual Meeting to remember AMWA members who have passed away during the preceding year. It is difficult to imagine that when we gather this coming March, Mary Ellen herself will be among those we remember.
Through her photographs, Mary Ellen chronicled years of AMWA history — presidents and award recipients, students and longtime members, formal ceremonies and spontaneous moments of friendship and laughter. She captured not only what happened at our meetings, but how it felt to be there.
At our upcoming Annual Meeting in March, we will honor Mary Ellen during the White Rose Ceremony she treasured so much. And we will find a way, through the very photographs she gave us, to remember her—to see again the meetings, friendships, celebrations, and moments that mattered because Mary Ellen was there to capture them.
A lovely graveside service was held on August 12 at the New Mount Zion Cemetery in New Jersey with her family and close friends, and AMWA Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Chin, was fortunate to able to attend (photos below). It was a celebration of who she was to so many – mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and colleague. The Rabbi shared this message, “She is handing the camera back to us.”
And so she has. Let’s remember to look at life as Mary Ellen did – and find joy, cameraderie, and friendship within our AMWA community. Let’s try to see the best in each person and amplify that.
Many have asked how to make a gift to AMWA in Mary Ellen’s honor so we have set up a campaign that will support AMWA’s continued efforts to preserve and promote our history and support the next generation of women physicians, two areas which Mary Ellen cared so much about.
